Golf: Upton’s Devin Bibeau won’t be missing Links

Upton’s Devin Bibeau recently started a new job at Workbridge Associates in Philadelphia, but he was lucky enough to get two days off for this week’s Mass. Public Links Championship at Glen Ellen CC in Millis.

The 24-year old, who graduated from Temple University in May, has had a great record in the tournament the last three years, so it’s one he didn’t want to miss. Bibeau won it in 2010, was runner-up in 2011, and finished 11th last year.

“I don’t know what it is,” Bibeau said when trying to explain his success. “It’s toward the end of the summer and when I used to be getting ready to go back to school and I probably had all my preparations ready to go back to school. And it’s just fun because I know a lot of people in it.”

Bibeau was driving home Friday night, planned to play Saturday at Highfields GC, his home course, and get in a practice round today at Glen Ellen.

The tournament will be played Monday and Tuesday. Bibeau tees off at 8:36 a.m. in the first round.

Created in 1982 to honor the spirit of public golf, the Mass. Public Links Championship is limited to competitors who are bona fide public course players who do not hold membership at a private club.

Bibeau, a 2008 Nipmuc Regional graduate, earned his degree in business administration from Temple’s Fox School of Business and Management. He was a three-year captain of the Owls’ golf team and earned All-Atlantic 10 Conference honors as a senior.

The 2010 Mass. Public Links at Quashnet Valley in Mashpee was Bibeau’s first MGA title. With rounds of 67-69, he played extremely well, made 11 birdies in the two rounds, and won by six strokes over Cyprian Keyes’ Dan Falcucci.

Bibeau finished just one shot back the next year. He played solidly last year (70-71), but couldn’t catch winner Andy Drohen.

“In 2010, it was a great experience for me,” Bibeau said. “I put two of the best rounds of my career together. Then the next year, I was just one shot out of being repeat champion. I think I played well because I had so much fun.”

Just like he has the last three years, Bibeau’s best friend, Chris Mackay of Upton, will be on his bag this week.

The two grew up next door to each other and have been friends since they were 2 years old.

“Growing up I didn’t have too many kids to play with because golf wasn’t as popular as it is now,” Bibeau said. “I actually taught him how to play golf so I’d have someone to play with.”A number of other locals are also in the field. Play begins at 8 a.m. Monday.

Woods scholarship aids Casseus

Vladimir Casseus has been to the driving range only one time, but the game of golf has played a major role in his life.

Through the Tiger Woods Foundation, Casseus, who grew up in Boston, earned an Earl Woods Scholarship which provided Casseus not only financial assistance during his four years at Holy Cross, but also support, mentoring and workshops.

Casseus, the first member of his family to attend college, graduated from HC in 2012 with a degree in psychology.

Casseus, who works for City Year Boston and will begin studies for his master’s degree at Tufts this fall, spoke eloquently about his experiences at Holy Cross and the opportunities afforded to him through the Earl Woods Scholarship program during last week’s Deutsche Bank Championship media day at TPC Boston.

The Tiger Woods Foundation, the primary beneficiary of the DBC since its inception in 2003, has taken over the management and operational responsibilities of the tournament which will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 2.

“The Tiger Woods Foundation gave me the support I needed to successfully complete four years of undergraduate study,” Casseus said, “and has given me the confidence I needed to reach my goals and future aspirations.”

Casseus learned of the Earl Woods program, which was created in 2006, the year Tiger’s father passed away, through Bottom Line, a nonprofit organization that aids urban youth. He enrolled at HC in the fall of 2008 as a chemistry major. He struggled his first semester as he adapted to college life, doubted his capabilities, and lost interest in his studies.

“I was overwhelmed,” he said.

His Earl Woods Scholarship Program mentor, Jeffrey Pond, helped Casseus through the tough times. Casseus changed his major to psychology, discovered he was passionate about the subject, and embraced the Holy Cross campus.

“I loved the community aspect,” Casseus said. “The teachers really do care about you and they want you to succeed and that was probably the best part of it.”

As was evident Monday, Casseus graduated from Holy Cross a confident young man, eager to make a difference now in the lives of others. As a City Year Boston core member, he has served students in underperforming elementary schools.

“I want to make sure that I do my part to help every student I encounter reach their full potential and beyond,” he said.

HC grad in U.S. Amateur

Steve Zychowski, a 2013 Holy Cross graduate, will play in his third U.S. Amateur Aug. 12-18 at The Country Club in Brookline.

Zychowski earned his spot in the field by placing third (71-70) at a qualifying event at the par-72 Links in Union Vale in Lagrangeville, N.Y. on July 18.

Zychowski had a 75.7 scoring average in 11 events for HC last season, earning medalist honors in the AIC-Adelphi Intercollegiate Classic and Assumption Shootout.

McIlroy looks to bounce back

After shooting 79-75 and missing the cut at last month’s British Open, Rory McIlroy went home to Northern Ireland and played golf with some of his lifelong buddies.

“Because you play so much golf on tour, and you sort of, I guess you forget why you play the game,” McIlroy said. “You play the game because you love it and you don’t get the opportunity to go play golf with your buddies much anymore. So to be able to go and do that for the weekend was something that I really enjoyed. I guess it’s good. It makes you feel good and you have an attitude change.”

The 2013 season has been one of frustration for the 24-year-old, who has yet to win and hasn’t contended in any of the majors. Feeling fresh, as he said, he will try to defend his PGA Championship title this week at Oak Hill CC in Rochester, N.Y.

McIlroy’s victory at last year’s Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston was part of a scorching stretch when he won three times in five weeks. In mid-August, McIlroy won the PGA Championship by a record eight shots, then birdied five of his first eight holes during the final round of the DBC to rally for a one-shot win over Louis Oosthuizen. He won the BMW Championship the next week.

Due to a travel conflict, he was unavailable for DBC media day last Monday, but he checked in via a conference call later in the week.

“I need to get back to playing golf again and just seeing shots and hitting them and visualizing it, and not thinking as much about technique or much about mechanics,” McIlroy said. “And that’s something obviously that I’m going to try and do over the next few weeks, because it obviously worked very well this time last year, obviously the PGA, but, you know, in Boston as well.”

Some of McIlroy’s struggles have been traced to the new clubs and balls he began using at the start of the year after signing a mega endorsement deal with Nike, as well as off-the-course distractions like a change of management and his love life. Legend Gary Player suggested last week McIlroy’s relationship with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki could be affecting his game.

McIlroy believes he just needs to get his confidence back.

“I feel like I’m a confident person,” he said, “but when you play some tournaments and they don’t go your way, of course your confidence is going to get knocked a little bit. I just need one good round or good week to get that confidence back.

“I feel like my game is in pretty good shape,” he said. “It’s just a matter of letting it happen on the golf course.”

Holy Name Alumni Classic

The 24th annual Holy Name Alumni Golf Classic will be held Sept. 28 at Green Hill GC. It is a 1 p.m. shotgun start and the entry fee is $120 per person.

Entry forms will be available on the school’s web site (www.holyname.net) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/HolyName).